The mountains and hills of the Mugello area provide lovers of mountain biking the chance to do all sorts of trips and itineraries. Routes have been set out by both SO.F.T. (Sorgenti di Firenze Trakking) and the Italian Alpine Club, CAI. On the line Florence – Faenza, Trenitalia offers a train+bike service with carriages equipped with bicycle storage.

There are 10 uphill routes to try in the area. Some are more difficult than others but all are a challenge. Here, speed doesn’t count but rather tenacity and concentration. There are no records to beat – only personal bests. Curve after curve brings the cyclist closer to the finishing point. The important thing is not to stop, not to give in to fatigue.

PASSO DELLA SAMBUCA: The climb is hard despite it not being amongst one of the longest (10.7km). The considerable climb (624m), the high average gradient (5.8%), the fact that there is no space to recuperate and the fact that are some areas with a 10% ascent, make the Sambuca suitable for only very fit cyclists. Average times for strong cyclists range from 45 to 55 minutes whilst excursionists usually take 1.05 – 1.15 hrs.

PASSO DELLA RATICOSA: the average gradient of this climb (4.2%) doesn’t render just how difficult it is. One of the hardest in the Mugello area, for almost 7.5km the gradient doesn’t drop below 7% or 8% and in some points even hits 10%. The last 1.5km is also just as difficult. The wind and sun can also hinder cyclists too. Average times for strong cyclists range from 45 to 55 minutes whilst excursionists usually take 1.05 – 1.15 hrs.

PASSO DELL’EREMO: the climb is not one of the longest (10.7km) and there are no really steep parts (never more than 10%). However, the Passo dell’Eremo has one of the highest average gradients of the routes (5.5%) and there’s never every time to get one’s breathe back. Average times for strong cyclists range from 45 to 55 minutes whilst excursionists usually take 1.05 – 1.15 hrs.

PASSO DELLA COLLA DI CASAGLIA: Although the climb is not terribly demanding (average gradient of 4.4%), it must be run with due respect given the distance (16.5 km), the height (720 metres, more than any other route described), and also because the second part of the tour regularly presents gradients of more than 5.5%-6%. Average times for strong cyclists range from 55m – 1.10hrs whilst excursionists usually take 1.20 – 1.35hrs.

PASSO DELLA FUTA: Though the average gradient of the tour is a modest one (4.4%), the tour is, in fact, very challenging both for the length (14.5 km) and because in the second half it climbs in “degrees” at a gradient that sometimes exceeds 10%. Average times for strong cyclists range from 45 minutes to 1 hour, whilst excursionists may take from 1.10hrs to 1.25hrs. The great Francesco Casagrande set the record time for the Futa Crono-Scalata in 1995 at 25 minutes 21.11 seconds.

PASSO DEL GIOGO DI SCARPERIA: The average gradient of this climb (5.8%, making it along with the Sambuca Pass the highest climb) underlines the amount of physical strength required. To top it off, the most gruelling part is concentrated in the last 7 kilometres. These last kilometres are constantly demanding (gradient of 7-9 %) except for in two points – at KM 6 and KM 8 – where there’s chance to catch one’s breath. Part of the route winds through the cool forest providing some relief from summer heat. Average times for strong cyclists range from 45 to 55 minutes whilst excursionists may take 1.05 – 1.15 hrs.

VALICO DEL PARETAIO: The route covers of 40.3km and therefore is suitable for cyclists with some training. The route climbs about 250m however, 200m of these are in 3km with some areas with a gradient exceeding 10%. The length of the route is not particularly demanding and the route can be tackled in any season (except for the coldest days of January and February which can be icy).

VALICO DELLA CROCETTA: The route climbs 549m over 12km and can be divided into three main stages. The first 2.4km are very hard. The average times for a strong cyclist are 40-50mins whilst an excursionist usually takes 1 – 1.10hrs.

MONTE SENARIO: The “Via Pratolino” route is 11.8km long and climbs 540m at an average gradient of 4.6%. The average times for a strong cyclist ranges from 40 to 50 minutes, whilst an excursionist may take 1 – 1.10hrs.

VETTA LE CROCI: The road gently winds for 15 km, climbing 320 m at an average gradient of 2.1% with only two really steep parts (of 5%-6% just before and after Polcanto). This route is therefore suitable for beginners or warm-ups.

(source: MUGELLOTOSCANA.IT)